It’s National Radon Action Month!

Have you had your home tested for the presence of radon gas? This month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is raising awareness about the importance of radon testing in observation of National Radon Action Month.

Although radon tests can be conducted at any time of year, winter is widely regarded as the best time to get a radon test. That’s because it’s easier to get an accurate reading when all the windows and doors in a home are closed. It’s especially important for homeowners in our area to get radon tests, because many counties in Illinois have documented histories of elevated radon levels.

So what is Radon, and why is it a public health concern?

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that is a natural byproduct of trace amounts of uranium in soil undergoing radioactive decay. As the gas is release from the soil, it emits cancer-causing alpha radiation into the air. Currently, Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the nation. The U.S. Surgeon General estimates that radon-related lung cancer claims the lives of about 21,000 Americans each year.

The good news is, radon exposure is a preventable health risk.

There are several effective radon mitigating techniques available that can reduce indoor radon levels by up to 99 percent. Before exploring these options, however, you must first have your home tested for the presence of radon. At First Choice Inspectors, we offer professional radon inspections to help homeowners determine whether or not they’re at risk of radon exposure. If we detect elevated levels of radon gas in your home, we can connect you with a qualified radon mitigation company to help you resolve the issue once and for all. Schedule your inspection online, or give us a call today to learn more!

Is Your Dryer Creating a Fire Hazard in Your Home?

Is Your Dryer Creating a Fire Hazard in Your Home? Most Americans who own a home have a washer and dryer tucked away in a laundry room. In the late 1990’s, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated that roughly 75 percent of American households had either a gas or electric dryer. A dryer has become an essential appliance for many people, but it can also constitute a fire hazard if it isn’t properly maintained. That same study also found that dryers caused more than 15,000 fires across the U.S. in the sample year 1996, and caused more than 300 injuries and 20 deaths.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent your dryer from becoming a fire hazard.

You can start by making sure you clean out your lint screen or lint trap after every single dryer use. The vent and exhaust duct should be inspected and cleaned periodically as well. Never place any rags or clothing items with gasoline, cooking oil or other volatile organic compounds on them in the dryer. Doing so could be catastrophic.

When moving into a home, be sure to have a home inspector take a look at the dryer to make sure it’s in good condition. If the home inspector has any reservations about the dryer, you should then either work with the home seller to have a new dryer installed, or inquire about what kinds of repairs will need to be made to ensure the dryer is safe and fully functional.

If you’re thinking about buying a new home, the experienced professionals at First Choice Inspectors can conduct a thorough inspection to identify a variety of potential safety issues. Give us a call or contact us online today to learn more.

Buying a New Home? Be Sure to Get a Radon Inspection First!

Buying a New Home? Be Sure to Get a Radon Inspection First! There are plenty of things to check off your to-do list before you buy a new home. One thing that many homebuyers neglect to do, however, is get a radon inspection before they move in. It can be easy to forget, but radon inspections are very important, particularly if you live in an area that’s prone to radon exposure.

Radon is a radioactive gas that forms when the uranium in soil and rock decays naturally over time. It comes up through the soil, and eventually makes its way into the atmosphere. When houses are built on soil with radon content, the gas can permeate the homes’ foundations and cause serious health problems for local residents. In fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America. It’s also odorless and colorless, which makes it impossible to detect without a professional inspection.

Before you buy a home, you should ask a home inspector to conduct a radon inspection.

Radon inspections are very simple, but they are also very important to the health of you and your family. If radon is detected, a ventilation system can be installed to divert the gas away from your home. Any cracks in the home’s foundation can also be sealed to prevent radon from permeating the home in the future.

Are you concerned about the presence of radon in your home? At First Choice Inspectors, we can conduct a comprehensive radon inspection to put your mind at ease. Contact us online or give us a call today to schedule an appointment.

It Time to Replace Your Old Water Heater?

It Time to Replace Your Old Water Heater? If you have a hot water heater that is more than 10 years old, it’s probably time for you to think about replacing it. Your typical tank water heater is only meant to last for about a decade, and while you might get a little bit more life out of it than that, you should be prepared for a water heater replacement once your water heater turns 10. There are also a few other signs that will tell you it’s time to replace your old water heater. Check them out below.

Your water heater is delivering rusty water to your home.

Have you noticed that the hot water in your home has a rusty color to it? This may be the result of galvanized plumbing pipes in your home, but it may also be your water heater kicking up sediment from inside the tank and sending it out into your home. You obviously don’t want to use this water for an extended period of time, so if you start to notice it on a daily basis, you should start checking out new water heaters.

Your water heater is making strange sounds.

The sediment in your old water heater can do more than just cause rusty water. It can also cause loud banging sounds inside the tank. This happens when the sediment is heated up over and over again, which causes it to harden. These sounds are not going to go away, so you should not ignore them. Rather, you should take it as a sign that it’s time to look at new water heaters.

Your water heater is leaking.

When your water heater fails completely, it will usually start leaking all over the place. This is a pretty obvious sign that you will not be able to use your water heater anymore. Even if it’s just a small leak, it means your water heater is on the verge of becoming completely unusable.

If you’re in the process of purchasing a new home, you should have it inspected for potential problems, like an old water heater that will need to be replaced soon. First Choice Inspectors can provide you with a quality home inspection and identify these areas of concern before you buy. Give us a call at (773) 429-9711 today to schedule an inspection.

Here’s Why You Should Have an Inspection Done Before Listing Your Home

When is the last time you had your home inspected? Most likely, it has been a long time since a professional looked it over, and that’s typical. But if you’re thinking of putting your home on the market, you should consider having First Choice Inspectors conduct a thorough inspection. Yes, you as the seller should get your home inspected. This is a proactive move on your part that can be used to more effectively market and sell the property. It’s like getting a “seal of approval” from an objective source. Furthermore, it allows you, the seller, to discover any problems that need repairs before they become a bone of contention in the negotiation process.

Potential buyers will feel more at peace about purchasing your home if they know it has been professionally inspected and they can read over the detailed report. The fact that you’re willing to share this information with them helps build trust.

If an inspector finds something in need of repair and you, the seller, are able to have it fixed before putting the home on the market, then you can show the potential buyer you took care of it so they wouldn’t have to– this also makes them feel better about their impending purchase. It’s better to address any problems before trying to sell a house than to have to deal with buyers nitpicking over things later on. Selling a home can be stressful, so whatever you can do to de-stress the process should be done.

Interestingly, the two main things that help sell a property are its price and condition. Therefore, it’s best to make sure the home is in its best condition before putting it up for sale. You won’t truly know how your house is “holding up” until you have a professional home inspector check it.

In the Chicago area, contact First Choice Inspectors to arrange a proper inspection.

What to Expect During Your Home Inspection

Home Inspectiion What can you expect during your home inspection? Typically your home inspector is a professional man who knows a lot about homes. He will give the home you’re interested in a thorough examination, much like a doctor checks a patient.

The inspector typically carries a clipboard with sheets of paper on it. On these pieces of paper are lists of various things found in a typical home, like the appliances in the kitchen, faucets in the bathroom, etc. The inspector goes from room to room in a house looking at things, testing them when needed. For instance, he may put a gadget into the outlet in a wall in the living room and that gadget will tell him if it’s getting electricity as it should. If it’s not, he’ll make a note of it.

Meanwhile, the inspector is likely to examine the “nooks and crannies” of the house– the basement, the attic, etc. Again, he’ll make note of what he sees, if everything is in good working order, and/or what needs fixing or replacing.

The nice thing about having a home inspection done is that you can follow the inspector along and ask questions. See that stain on the ceiling near the fireplace? The inspector can explain to you what he thinks is going on there. If it’s a big deal, you can then ask the seller to have it repaired before you buy the house. That way you’re not stuck paying for the problem!

A home inspector is an examiner who essentially gives your house a report card. Where it’s failing, improvements need to be done. In other areas, it’s fine– all’s well.

In the Chicago area, you can email info@firstchoiceinspectors.com or call 773-429-9711 to have a professional home inspector walk through the home you intend to sell or buy and then give you a detailed report of what he found. This information proves to be invaluable to people.

The Importance of Having an Inspection Done Before Buying a Foreclosed Home

Foreclosed homes can typically be bought for a “better” price than a non-foreclosed home. Think about it this way: the home, at one time, was utilized and loved. Now, however, it’s most likely owned by a bank just looking to get rid of it. This could be a very good deal for the right buyer.

Most foreclosed homes end up being unoccupied for quite some time. What happens to homes when no one’s around to maintain them? Things can go wrong. Boarded up homes don’t have air circulating through them. No one’s there to open the doors and windows frequently. Pipes can burst. Toilets can clog. Rodents can chew through wires. Holes in the roof can form, letting in water leading to ceiling damage… and the list goes on and on.

First Choice Inspectors offers a service you might consider when in the process of buying a foreclosed home. First Choice can do a foreclosed home inspection so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into before you’ve made the big purchase. You’ve heard the term “better safe than sorry,” right? This is true in this case, for sure.

Having a foreclosed home properly and professionally inspected allows a buyer to have better peace of mind than just buying the property “as is” and “hoping for the best.” An inspection lets you know if the purchase is truly a worthwhile deal or a money pit that’s not worth the headaches!

First Choice Inspectors, LLC, offers the best property inspection and house inspections in Chicago, Illinois, and its surrounding areas including Hoffman Estates. Email info@firstchoiceinspectors.com for more information about having a foreclosed home inspected before you sign on the dotted line to buy it. It’s better to know any problems with a home before you buy it than to discover them unexpectedly at inopportune times once you’re moved in and are just trying to relax after moving all your boxes and furniture and “stuff” into the new place.

A Brief Overview of Radon

Radon Just like carbon monoxide, you cannot see, smell or taste a radioactive gas called radon.

Radon is naturally occurring and can be found in many residential and commercial properties; it is also the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after only smoking. Radon negatively affects indoor air quality and the only way to be sure it is present is by testing for it.

Radon is a natural radioactive breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. From there, it seeps into structures and becomes part of the air you breathe.

As a highly gaseous radioactive element, it is nine times denser than air, which makes it the heaviest known gas. Radon can easily penetrate common materials such as paper, leather, plastics of low density, sheetrock and concrete block, mortar, tarpaper, wood paneling, most paints and most insulations.

The US EPA, Surgeon General and various health associations recommend you test your home for radon. The test is not obtrusive at all, and takes a minimum of 48 hours to get a reading. You want there to be no detection of radon, but if there is, you want the level to be below 4 pCi/l. You will want to have a system installed to remove the radon if the level is at or above 4 pCi/l.

Young children tend to be the most susceptible to radon damage as they have a higher respiration rate. To protect you and your family, one of the best ways to determine if a house has radon is with a home inspection. Any time you purchase a home, it is recommended by the realtor and the lender to have a radon test performed.

If you feel concerned about the chances of having radon in your home, contact First Choice Inspections today. We can help ease your worry as well as guide you in the process of removing radon from your home.

How Often Should you Replace Your Roof?

Roof Chicago is known as “The Windy City,” and indeed it is. Wind as well as the sometimes brutal winter weather can really take its toll on area roofs.

First Choice Inspectors often do roofing inspections in and around Chicago and Aurora, Illinois. After all, people need good roofs in order to live comfortably, without the harsh elements breaking into their homes through holes and cracks.

Roofs can be made of different materials and are often a product of the time and place when and where they were originally constructed. For instance, some people have wood roofs, while others have stone, metal, rubber or asphalt shingle roofing. First Choice Inspectors often get asked the question, “How often should I replace my roof?” The general answer is once every 20 to 50 years depending on the roofing material used.

For instance, most homes in the U.S. use asphalt shingles. These can last from 10 to 50 years, while most people end up replacing their shingle roofs every 20 years, on average. If you have a wood shake roof, that can last between 20 to 50 years, while tile or metal might last between 50 to 75 years. Some older homes using slate shingles should note that hard slate can last up to 200 years, while soft slate can handle between 50 and 125 years or so.

Oftentimes, how long a roof lasts depends on its thickness and the quality of its installation and materials.

A visual inspection of your roof is a good way to figure out if it needs a couple repairs or if it’s “too far gone” and needs a full replacement. It’s a good idea to have a professional from First Choice Inspectors come take a look at your roof and offer their expert advice on how your roof is doing currently and what challenges might lie ahead. The inspector’s knowledge of roofing can be very helpful to you when determining the answer to the question, “Is it time for a roof replacement?”

Call First Choice Inspectors at 773-429-9711 to book an inspection.

Carbon Monoxide Still Possible During Summer

When owning a home, there are many cautions that should be taken to keep you and your family safe. Carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless toxic flammable gas, is often emitted as part of the fumes of fuel. Difficult to detect, this poisonous gas can be leaked from cars, stoves, fireplaces, grills, furnaces and more. Many people believe that carbon monoxide build up is primarily a concern in the winter months when doors and windows are closed, but deadly levels can build up in the summertime, too.

According to the Daily Herald of Utah, two patients at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning in 2012 after using a gas-powered concrete saw in their basement without proper ventilation. When using gas-powered equipment in an enclosed space, symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea and light-headedness can appear quickly which helped these individuals recognize that there was a problem.

Although carbon monoxide poisoning notoriously occurs indoors, many don’t realize it can happen outside as well. During the summer months, you may notice poisoning symptoms if you breathe in the toxins from the back of a boat, sit too close to a campfire or use gas or propane stoves in or near a tent. Even though it seems like carbon monoxide poisoning should take longer when you are outside, it can happen within as little as 15 minutes, experts say.

If you think you’ve been exposed to carbon monoxide, you should go to the ER immediately. A doctor can treat the poisoning by flushing out the toxins in a hyperbaric chamber, but ultimately prevention is the best course of treatment.

Since poisoning is unpredictable, you should purchase a carbon monoxide detector for your home. As well, it could be prudent to have a professional inspect your home to make sure you and your family are safe.